Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun told reporters yesterday morning at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Taipa that as this year’s sign-up for the 2021 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon filled up quickly, his bureau was looking into the possibility of opening more spots for runners next year.
The 2021 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon, jointly organised by the Sports Bureau and the General Association of Athletics of Macau and title-sponsored by Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) started and ended yesterday at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.
Pun noted that this year’s marathon had 12,000 runners, adding that there was a high percentage of participants from the mainland, showing that 2021 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon has been recognised as an important sporting event.
This year’s marathon required runners to have two shots of the COVID-19 vaccines 14 days prior to the competition and display a valid negative nucleic acid test (NAT) result. He also pointed out that even though COVID-19 prevention and control measures were implemented during the marathon, many participants said that the whole process ran more smoothly than last year. He also underlined that the bureau listened to the athletes’ feedback from last year and gave last year’s local winner a place at the front of the start.
An ID statement yesterday that Yang Shaohui and Zhang Deshun from the mainland won the men’s and the women’s category of the marathon respectively. While Yang finished the race in 2:13.04, Zhang clocked up 2:29.09.
Chan Kai Un and Wu Yangyang won the Macau men’s and the women’s category respectively. The statement underlined that the Senior Trophy was won by 72-year-old Mak Hang Chi.
Winner Yang Shaohui crosses the finish line at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium yesterday morning.
Winner Zhang Deshun crosses the finish line at the stadium yesterday morning. Photos: Sports Bureau
Local winners Chan Kai Un (left) and Wu Yangyang talk the media after the race. Photos courtesy of TDM
